Titans Eve – The Devine Equal

Something must be stirring within the dark alleyways of Vancouver.  A city once stuck the confines of prototypical radio rock, lately my hometown’s towering neighbour has finally outgrown its predictable radio-rock focus, turning out some unique gems over the past several years.  It started on the punk scene in 2008 when The Dreadnoughts took to the seas with their shanty-town tales of dockside plunders, creating a local climate where, by 2010, I wasn’t surprised in the least when folk metallers Scythia released one of the genre’s most ambitious titles in years.  Within this context, I found myself quite prepared when I learned of apocalyptic sized metal band Titans Eve had debuted on the same turf.

In the context of their home, the quartet is considerably less inventive, but by no means should that be taken as less remarkable.  Titans Eve is a heavy metal band with a thrasher’s punch plain and simple, but one kicking off their debut, The Divine Equal, with old-school technical know-how inspired by the early careers of heavyweights Megadeth and Metallica.  If I had a head of long, draping hair, I wouldn’t hesitate banging my lush locks along with Titans Eve’s vicious riffs and masterful solos.

Built around themes of an imminent catastrophe and global scale conflict, their self released debut rips open into a flailing vengeful fury after a very “clam-before-the-storm” styled instrumental introduction.  Thereafter the band flexes those metal muscles with “Judgment,” a prophetic warning call of looming peril, inescapably orchestrated by fate itself.  Featuring a powerful uninterrupted minute of instrumental showcase smack in the middle of its near five minute run time, the band spares no expense when achieving a sense of scale.  Drummer Casey Ory slams his sticks as if handing down the rulings of ancient gods, and the double threat of brothers Brian and Kyle Gamblin on lead and rhythm guitar leaves little room for escaping the accompanying onslaught.

From here Titans Eve unravels its master plan, starting with a twisted transformation, and entering a pathway of hopeless torment.  “Becoming The Demon” speaks of the beast inside “replac[ing] what’s human,” ushering in a world of pain, as per “Serpent Rising” and “Tides Of Doom.”  By this point “annihilation” is prescribed, with Titans Eve slowing for nothing – save for “Dusk,” a subdued sub-minute soundtrack for visualizing the apocalyptic wasteland later described with buildings falling to ruin and a “cloud of dust and falling ash haunt[ing] the sky.”  The whole façade culminates in an epic conclusion leaving room for future additions, and the potential for a related follow-up.

Titans Eve’s biggest strength might also be its biggest weakness.  With every note so focused on capturing the darkest, most atmospheric riffs, it’s not hard to see how a singular style dominates all.  More of a lack of variety than a sense of repetition, the obvious next step will involve taking more chances.  How that will play out, I’m not sure, but with so much existing talent, I’m sure the boys have it covered.  Even so,Titans Eve have given metal purists one hell of a debut that should not be missed.